A New Favorite: Golden Boy (1939)

1939 is hailed as the greatest year in films. I’m not here to disagree. Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Women, and the list goes on and on. But while those films are truly remarkable, there were also the lesser known gems of 1939, such as Midnight and In Name Only. There’s also another 1939 hit that is forgotten, the star maker for William Holden at 21 years of age, and that film is Golden Boy, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Adolphe Menjou.


Obviously, the appeal for me in seeing this film was William Holden. Imagine my delighted surprise when I learned the supporting cast included Lee J. Cobb and Sam Levene. Cobb was twenty eight during the film’s release, just seven years older than Holden; an important fact especially when one considers he was playing Holden’s father. (Oh the wonders a handle bar mustache will do).

The film, directed by Rouben Mamoulian, was adapted from a stage play by Clifford Odets, the same man who gave us The Country Girl and The Sweet Smell of Success. In Golden Boy, the story is that of Joe Bonaparte, a young violinist turned boxer. At first, he seems genuine in wanting to pursue a career in the ring; Menjou, playing the boxing promoter Tom Moody, is at first reluctant to sign him, and more than a little annoyed. But Joe proves himself, and becomes a success, much to Moody’s delight. However, Mr. Bonaparte still nurses his son’s first dream; that of the violin.

William Holden at age 21 was…for lack of a better word, adorable. I think that’s all he could be as a dreamy musician, unsure of what he wants, with that full head of curly hair. The hair is relevant. It made him appear even more boyish; and this is the same actor who gained prominence playing such cynical roles in his later years. Here, he’s innocent but there’s a lot of substance underneath too. As an artist, he’s emotional, and that may add to his short temper, especially as a prizefighter.


And the story of his winning performance is attributed to his leading lady, Barbara Stanwyck, who urged producers to keep him in the production after they lost faith in him. She coached him through, and he turned in a performance worthy of the film. Stanwyck too delivers a remarkable performance, as Lorna Moon. She captures every single moment she’s on screen, and there are vulnerable and sympathetic sides to her character, just like Joe. Cobb never fails to disappoint (at least in the films I’ve seen), and is convincing with his impassioned delivery of the lines. Levene adds comic relief, but overall the film is an enjoyable, honest one. It has humor and tragedy; a life portrait.

5/5 stars for Golden Boy.